Today in Salem: Another urgent petition lands on the governor’s desk, this time for the shorn Dorcas Hoar. But this petition isn’t signed by friends and family. It’s sent from two prominent ministers and two schoolmasters. Can Dorcas Hoar’s execution be delayed for one month?
Shockingly, Dorcas has confessed, even after pleading innocent during trial. She’s sentenced to hang tomorrow, but cannot bear to meet God with a lie on her heart and witchcraft in her soul. She’s in “great distress of conscience” says the petition. More important to the ministers, she’s also begun revealing other witches they hadn’t known about until now. If she had one more month, she might fully repent for her sins. It also might set an example for others who were condemned, and induce them to confess as well.
As a warning, if her specter has afflicted anyone during the month she would be hanged immediately.
The governor is still in Maine, fighting the Indian wars. But the Lieutenant Governor – who is also the court’s Chief Justice – grants the delay. It’s a small thing, and could prevent much greater evil.